← Elaine Ingham · Research and publications
Neighbouring dairy farms produced different milk fatty acid profiles
A longer comparison of neighbouring herds followed milk composition across two grazing seasons.
Study published:
A comparison in the same place
Monitoring covered 80 weeks on neighbouring Pennsylvania farms. During the grazing season, pasture supplied an average of 53% of dietary dry matter for the organic herd. [1]
The fatty acid finding
During spring and summer grazing, organic milk had higher concentrations of conjugated linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid. Differences in most measured minerals and protein were small. [1]
Season matters
Milk profiles deserve a place in the farm calendar. Vegetation, pasture access and supplementary feeds change over time and benefit from systematic recording.
Evidence for producers
The work provides an example of comparison under shared local conditions. Similar monitoring can support an evidence-based discussion of product quality, linking farming practices clearly with measurements.
Sources and references
- Tunick, M.H., Van Hekken, D.L., Paul, M., Ingham, E.R. & Karreman, H.J. (2016). Case study: Comparison of milk composition from adjacent organic and conventional farms in the USA. International Journal of Dairy Technology, 69(1), 137–142. DOI: 10.1111/1471-0307.12284 Original publication and study record